CHAPTER XVIII
AN ANNOUNCEMENT
For some minutes they all sat around the table and said nothing, all thinking their own thoughts, all full of questions about what had taken place, knowing none of them would get an answer, at least not the answers they wanted.
Dick was the one who spoke up.
"Something has come out of this." Titty realised at once what he was about to say, and in some ways wished he wouldn't. The others looked slightly confused. Dick continued. "These few days have brought me and Titty closer together, and I suppose, no, I know, close enough to be a 'couple'."
"Dick!" Dot exclaimed loudly and excitedly. "Oh Dick, that is so…" the novelist was lost for words. Titty felt herself blush, despite her demonstrativeness and her holding of the group together with her letter writing and telephone calls, she was not very good at talking about her emotional feelings.
Susan, now back to the usual Susan and not the naval officer putting a lower rank in their place, held her hand out to Titty across the table who willingly took it.
"I'm pleased, really pleased, I've worried about you often, especially during the war, but you with Dick I do not need to worry anymore."
Nancy and Daisy almost simultaneously said how wonderful it was.
"Three million cheers!" Exclaimed Nancy. "We must celebrate."
Dot was silent again, she said nothing more but smiled a weak smile at her brother and her best friend. She now thought the worst, was she about to lose the two most important people in her life and through almost pushing them together on their trip to the Backwaters? There had been no meeting with her publisher, her next novel was no more than some scribbled down ideas in a notebook and thoughts running around in her head, it just seemed a chance for the two of them to make up for Dick's time in America when his visits home were always too short. The others seemed so pleased yet after her initial pleasure at the news she was almost jealous of them both. She knew they were waiting for her to add further to the congratulations. But nothing came to mind, and each time her mouth went to move no words were forthcoming.
Dick could see she was struggling to say more, and he could surmise what was going through her mind.
"It's OK Dot, we're not going to abandon you!" Dot attempted to laugh off her brother's comment but that is what it had felt like. Titty spoke up.
"Of course we wont! Don't be so silly, I couldn't manage without you, and Dick, nobody understands him like you do." Dot blushed. Reassured, her voice returned.
"Thank you, I didn't really think you would, and I am happy for you, just why have you taken so long!"
Daisy became organised.
"As Nancy says, we must celebrate. We've time to go in to the Town. Who will come with me? To the others surprise Susan volunteered.
"I will, I've had enough driving for today." Daisy continued.
"Good, Nancy get everyone organised. Do we still have potatoes in the garden? Enough salad stuff?"
"Of course, we have hardly used much so there's plenty. Come on Dick, you can help me with digging the potatoes."
Daisy got ready to leave, she kissed Nancy goodbye, then she and Susan left through the back door to the Land Rover. Nancy followed them out of the door.
"Come on Dick, there's a basket under the sink." Once Dick had found the basket he joined her outside leaving Dot and Titty sitting at the table.
Dot stood up and started to gather together the empty tea mugs, Titty stood too.
"That can wait, come here." She walked over to Dot and embraced her. "Nothing will change, I promise you, and I know Dick wouldn't want it to. You know what you mean to me, it's that in some ways all these years that has kept my feelings for him under control!"
Dot released herself from Titty's arms unwillingly.
"I know, I could always see it, but you've been such a good, good friend."
"And I will be!" Titty then gathered up the mugs once more. "Come on, we better get these washed and tidy up a bit so Daisy can start cooking. She does take it seriously doesn't she?"